Poor air quality means the government needs to take action to cut car use in cities.
That's according to the latest European Commission, which says authorities here should consider a congestion charge to do it.
It's after Ireland failed to meet limits on nitrous oxide every year between 2010 and 2016.
Green Party Councillor Ciarán Cuffe says there are several ways car use could be reduced -- but ultimately congestion tolling needs to be on the cards.
"A lot of traffic that shouldn't be in the city cuts through the city centre , which is wrong," Councillor Cuffe said.
"Ultimately, I think we may have to look at a congestion charge, because we're seeing spikes in air pollution and private cars seem to be part of the problem."
"Over the last two or three days, we've seen seen spikes in not just NOx, or Nitrous Oxide, but also very small particles... in the city. The jury is still out on whether that is pollution ocming to Ireland from western Europe or whether that is being added to by local air pollution from cars or stoves or home heating in Dublin," he said.
"We certainly need to move towards electrifying not just our car fleet, [but] our bus fleet as well. All of these moves can help reduce air pollution -- and as well as that of course we've got to make it easier to walk, to cycle, and to take the bus, train or tram," he added.
